Tartuffe — Vocabulary
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Moliere
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	11	top 1000
zealactive interest and enthusiasm She attacks each challenge with zeal.more Show sample from book In good faith, perhaps, you praise his great zeal, But I think you're dazed by his meaningless Glitter.†10 more Show general definition active interest and enthusiasm
	5	top 2000
insolentrudely disrespectful Even though the officer remained calm, the driver continued to be insolent and uncooperative.more Show sample from book The very thought of sparing him is a joke, And the insolent pride of this base bloke Has triumphed too often over my just wrath, And has sown too much trouble along my path.†4 more rudely disrespectful -- especially toward someone in authority Show general definition rudely disrespectful -- especially toward someone in authority
	3	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book In them you never hear the holy Credo— Just songs, chatter, gossip, malice, and innuendo.†2 more the desire to hurt others or see them suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	4	top 2000
impudentimproperly bold or disrespectful She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.†more Show sample from book You impudently try every trick you can To alienate me from this holy man, But the harder you try to drive him away, The harder I'll try to get him to stay.†3 more Show general definition improperly bold or disrespectful -- especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
	2	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book Don't excuse yourself through circumlocution: You've already made your own resolution, And you've seized upon a frivolous excuse To justify this lamentable ruse.†1 more lament → lamentable:regrettable Show context notes The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable. Show general definition to express grief or regret
	3	top 1000
audaciousbold and daring It was an audacious act of piracy.more Show sample from book I confess that I'm playing an audacious part In presenting to you the gift of my heart, But I place all my faith in your kindness Like a beggar-man hindered by blindness.†2 more Show general definition bold and daring (inclined to take risks) -- especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
	2	top 500
censurecensure → censured:formally criticized They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.more Show sample from book And these good women censure all with such Great severity; nor do they pardon much.†1 more harsh or formal criticism Show general definition harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate
	2	top 500
indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way She indulges her children more than is good for them.more Show sample from book They decline any fanfare for their virtue; They don't indulge in vain ostentation; Their humane faith finds form in moderation; They never censure all of our actions, For they sense the vain pride in such transactions.†1 more enjoy to excess Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
	4
hypocritesomeone who violates claimed moral standards She calls him a hypocrite for suggesting a green lifestyle except when it is personally inconvenient.more Show sample from book Can the false meekness of this hypocrite Cause you to belie .... Orgon.†3 more
	4	top 2000
pretensepretending Nobody is fooled by her pretense.more Show sample from book Of that villain, by whose pretense .... Orgon.†3 more a false appearance or action to help one pretend Show general definition a false appearance or action to help one pretend Show editor's word notes This is sometimes seen in the expression "false pretense" or "false pretenses" which is just emphasizing that behavior or actions do not reflect the true situation.
	4	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book Supposing that he did act like a fool And that you are unfairly being called cruel, Shouldn't a Christian pardon the offense And purge his soul of desire for vengeance?†3 more the act of taking revenge Show general definition for vengeance (as in: vengeance is mine) the act of taking revenge (Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
	2	top 500
rhetoricuse of words to make a point She has convincing rhetoric, but she makes bad decisions.more Show sample from book And, leaving boastful rhetoric to others, By their own actions they reprove their brothers.†1 more the use of (or study of using) words to make a point Show general definition the use of (or study of using) words to make a point -- typically implying skillful use Show editor's word notes Rhetoric is used with many connotations. "Effective rhetoric" has a positive connotation, If someone says something is "just rhetoric," they're implying that the words may make a good surface impression, but they are lacking in substance.
	3	top 2000
brazenbold and improper She made a brazen attempt to take credit for her colleague’s work during the meeting.more Show sample from book You, my dearie, are a bold lassy, A little brazen and very sassy, You butt into everything to speak your mind.†2 more bold and unrestrained by what others consider proper Show general definition bold and unrestrained by what others consider proper
	3	top 1000
wrathextreme anger She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.more Show sample from book Such trifles suffice to scandalize him That he even accused himself of sin For having slain with a bit too much wrath A flea that just happened to cross his path.†2 more Show general definition extreme anger or angry punishment
	4
adieugoodbye She whispered a quiet adieu as she turned to leave.more Show sample from book That's enough insults from you, Madam, and now I will bid you adieu.†3 more Show general definition a farewell remark (an alternative to goodbye) Show editor's word notes Adieu is typically more formal than bye. It comes from the French, à Dieu which literally means "to God" — as in I entrust you to God's care.
	3
ingratitudelack of gratefulness Despite their tireless efforts, they were greeted with ingratitude, leaving them disheartened by the lack of appreciation.more Show sample from book The mere thought of this ingratitude Makes me suffer from a torture so crude .... The horror I feel ...My soul longs to cry .... I can't even speak, and I'm sure I will die.†2 more lack of gratefulness -- typically inappropriately so Show general definition lack of gratefulness -- typically inappropriately so
	2
venerateregard with feelings of respect and reverence Most contemporary Hindus do not actually worship the cow; though many venerate her.more Show sample from book How impudently the wretch mocks veneration!†1 more venerate → veneration:feelings of respect and reverence
	1	top 200
foreshadowforeshadow → foreshadowing:using events as signs of future events The author is known for creative use of foreshadowing.more Show sample from book This civil start meets my approbation And foreshadows some accommodation.† foreshadow → foreshadows:is a sign of Show general definition to be a sign of future events
	1	top 500
digressdigress → digresses:wanders from a direct course She always digresses when telling a story.more Show sample from book ...But perhaps I digress: Let's speak of the man—not his nobleness.† wander from a direct course Show general definition wander from a direct or straight course -- typically verbally
	1	top 1000
jargonwords or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not elsewhere The medical jargon used by the doctors was difficult for the patient to understand.more Show sample from book Now this is the normal jargon of your kind.† specialized vocabulary Show general definition words or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not understood by most people